Legislator pushes for affirmative spending in Archipelagic Regions Bill

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of the House of Representatives’ Special Committee for the Archipelagic Regions Bill, Hendry Munief, is pushing for the adoption of an affirmative budget scheme to strengthen equitable development in island regions. Hendry stated that archipelagic areas face different development challenges compared to mainland regions, thus requiring a more flexible budgeting scheme that favours the real needs of the community. ‘The issues in each island region are different, and so are the solutions. Therefore, we propose that our budget regulations be based on affirmative spending. Spending should be tailored to the needs of the region,’ Hendry said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. Affirmative spending refers to the allocation of funds intentionally directed at providing equal opportunities, supporting, or empowering certain disadvantaged or marginalised groups. This was conveyed during a Hearing Meeting of the Special Committee for the Archipelagic Regions Bill at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (30/6). According to him, several coastal and island areas in Riau Province, such as the Meranti Islands Regency, Bengkalis, Rokan Hilir, and Indragiri Hilir, still face limitations in basic infrastructure and connectivity, as well as high economic dependence on neighbouring countries. ‘As I toured my constituency, it was heartbreaking to see the condition of the people. Their dependence on neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Singapore is still high, both for selling commodities and for employment,’ he said. He noted that these areas also struggle with access to roads, bridges, high staple food prices, and limited access to information and internet networks. ‘Signals for radio, television, and even the internet from Indonesia are overpowered by those from neighbouring countries. There are no proper roads or bridges. Staple food prices are high,’ he said. Hendry believes the Archipelagic Regions Bill must become a legal instrument to deliver development justice for regions facing geographical, economic, and public service challenges distinct from mainland areas. The Special Committee is also gathering input from regional governments regarding inter-island connectivity issues, high logistics costs, basic infrastructure limitations, and the need for a transfer fund formula that favours archipelagic regions. This input will serve as material for the bill’s deliberation to strengthen national development equity.